Features
MAR 16.06.2015
In football, the penalty offers a gilt-edged chance to score. However, sometimes the goalkeeper emerges as the hero of the hour to thwart this golden opportunity. In the 2014/15 Liga BBVA season, as many as 18 spot-kicks were saved, leading to an eruption of joy among the defending team and, conversely, disappointment for the side denied.
Top of the penalty-saving charts was Valencia CF keeper Diego Alves. The Brazilian stopped four of the eight kicks he faced during the campaign, with Atlético Madrid, Sevilla FC, RC Celta and Real Madrid suffering Alves’ skill and reflexes at first-hand.
With half as many stops is Carlos Kameni. The Málaga CF custodian kept out two of the six penalties that he came up against. Valencia CF and RC Deportivo were the outfits who saw the Cameroonian frustrate their efforts to find the net from twelve yards.
Also with two saves registered is Levante UD goalkeeper Diego Mariño. The Galician proved unbeatable on penalties against Elche CF, denying los ilicitanos from the spot in both of the clubs’ league meetings this season.
The other keepers to save penalties this term were Fabri, Germán Lux (RC Deportivo), Kiko Casilla (RCD Espanyol), Julián Cuesta (UD Almería), Gorka Iraizoz (Athletic Club), Sergio Álvarez (RC Celta), Przemysław Tytoń (Elche CF), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Claudio Bravo (FC Barcelona) and Juan Carlos (Córdoba CF).
Bravo: the Liga BBVA’s clean-sheet expert
FC Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in the 2014/15 Liga BBVA season. The former Real Sociedad man avoided conceding in 23 of the 37 matches he played. He let in 19 goals in total, and was crowned the division’s best keeper.
Sergio Asenjo of Villarreal CF is second in this ranking. The 25-year-old completed 15 shut-outs, with Diego Alves (Valencia CF) and Kiko Casilla (RCD Espanyol) following him with 13 each. Miguel Ángel Moyá (Atlético Madrid), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) and Gorka Iraizoz (Athletic Club) are next in the list, having prevented their opponents from scoring in 12 games.
© LALIGA - 2015